...Chapter Four...
...Visiting Some Old Friends...
Rayanna stepped out of the elevator, then smiled. "Hello, Dorota."
"Can I help you?"
"It's me... Rayanna Malone."
Dorota's eyes widened, then she ran up to her and gave Rayanna a big hug. "It's so good to see you. How are you?"
"Really good."
Seconds later, after they broke from the hug, they heard yelling coming down the stairs. "Dorota, the party favors can make themselves! You have tons to do, before Chuck's wedding!" Rayanna saw Blair as she came down the last step. "Dor..." she looked up and stopped dead in her tracks. "Oh my God! Ray?"
She nodded. "It's me."
Blair screamed, then ran to Rayanna, almost tackling her to the ground with her hug. "Wow... when did you get in?"
"A few hours ago."
"And Nate?"
"He's home, sleeping. We had a ridiculously long flight and we're staying at my grandparents place... which is now, mine."
"Good... you guys are close by."
"So... Chuck's getting married, huh?" Rayanna said, with a frown.
Blair nodded. "Yeah, it's next month. But you'll never guess who the bride-to-be is."
"Who?"
"Georgina."
Rayanna's jaw dropped. "Sparks?"
"The one and only." Blair said, rolling her eyes.
"But... why?"
"Chuck is just going to settle with Satan's spawn, because he knew he could never have you." Rayanna looked at Blair, shocked. "Basically, Whore-gina is a poor substitute of you."
"What?"
"Ray... Chuck is and always has been in love with you. He just had a hard time showing it or telling you, because Nate was in love with you too."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"I always thought... he was in love with you."
"No." Blair shook her head. "That was a front, because of Nate."
"Oh... wow."
Blair grabbed Rayanna's arm, dragging her towards the elevator. "Come on, we have some people to meet." Rayanna nodded. "Dorota, don't wait up! And finish those party favors!" then the doors closed. She looked over at Rayanna. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah... I'm just shocked is all."
"It was a huge shock to all of us... believe me." Blair and Rayanna walked into the Palace lobby, fifteen minutes later. Rayanna was walking behind Blair, so nobody could see her. "I'm here." Blair said to Serena, Jenny, and Vanessa.
"What took so long, B?" asked Serena.
"I have a perfectly good explanation as to why I'm late. Guess who's home?" Blair stepped out of the way to reveal Rayanna and their jaws dropped. Seconds later, all three of them got up and tackled Rayanna with a group hug.
"We missed you." Jenny said, as she let go first.
A few minutes later, they sat down, and Rayanna smiled a little. "I missed you guys too."
"Are you still with Nate?" asked Vanessa.
"Yeah... we had a long flight, so he's at my place asleep."
"How's Haley?" Serena asked, as she took a drink of her tea.
"I have no clue. A few years ago, me and her got into a fight, then our grandparents took her and moved to California."
"How sad." said Jenny.
Rayanna nodded. "So how is everyone... since I've been gone?"
"Well." Serena started. "Mom and Bart Bass are still married. Eric is doing fine. Oh... and Chuck."
"Um... Blair already told me about Chuck."
"Oh... I'm sorry, Ray."
"It's fine." Rayanna looked over at Jenny. "How are things with you Humphrey's?"
"Good... My dad and Dan are working at the gallery selling paintings still."
"Yeah." Vanessa nodded. "And I work there some days."
"That's cool."
"So... how are you and Nate?" asked Serena.
"We're doing really good. We just missed home, so we had to come back."
"Well... we're glad you're here." Blair said. "Because, maybe you can knock some sense into Chuck from marrying that repulsive creature."
Rayanna laughed. "I don't know what help I would be."
"Oh please, Ray... he's still in love with you."
"Yeah... I bet if you ask him not to marry her, he won't do it." added Serena.
"I doubt it." Rayanna shook her head.
"Okay." Blair nodded. "We'll see."
They stayed at the Palace for another couple of hours, gossiping. Then afterwards Jenny and Vanessa went to Brooklyn while Blair, Serena, and Rayanna went to Serena's at the Bass suite. Rayanna was a little nervous being there, in case she were to run into Chuck.
Serena stepped off the elevator first. "Hey Mom!"
"I'm in my office!" Blair and Rayanna followed behind Serena into the room. "What's up, I've been calling a bunch of caterers, for the wedding, but every time I get someone... Georgina changes her mind and Charles can't give me a straight answer either."
"Mom."
"What?" she looked over at Serena and saw Rayanna standing next to Blair. "Ray? Is that you?"
"Yes... it's me, Lily." Rayanna went up to her and gave her a hug.
"Wow... when did you get here?"
They broke from the hug. "Earlier today."
"And Nate?"
"He's sleeping... long flight."
"Well... are you guys staying for good or are you here to visit?"
"No, we're staying."
"Well." Lily smiled. "That's wonderful, it's really good to see you."
"It's good to see you too."
"Okay, Mom." Serena started. "We just wanted to come see you for a second." she paused. "Oh, and don't tell Chuck that Ray is here. Not yet, at least."
Lily nodded. "Right... because it would be wrong of me to tell Charles that the woman he truly loves is back in town." Serena frowned. "Fine. My lips are sealed."
"Thank you." Serena said, then they walked into the elevator and Blair pushed the 'L' button for the lobby.
"Wow... S." Blair laughed. "When did Lily turn into a smart ass?"
"Since this whole wedding crap started... her, Bart, Chuck, and Georgina have been on edge lately and it's been annoying."
"Fantastic." Blair nodded.
"So, he really... is in love with me?" Rayanna asked, as they walked out of the elevator.
"Yes... everyone knows it." Serena smiled.
"Okay, what about the bride-to-be?"
They stepped out of the building into Blair's limo. Blair shut the door and said "We all know, deep down that she knows. But, she's ignoring it and think's that... if Chuck marries her, then he'll get over you."
Serena laughed. "But, that's not possible."
All three of them laughed, then Rayanna said "So... where we going?"
"It's a surprise." Blair grinned. "Just sit back and enjoy the ride." Rayanna laughed, then enjoyed the ride to where ever they were going.